The Sorting Hat

At once the doors swung open and there in the flooding torch light stood a tall, older witch in a fetching green tartan robe, her black hair speckled with grey and combed back in a tight bun, her stern green eyes looked out over the first-years through square silver spectacles.

'The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall.' The giant said.

'Thank you Hagrid. I will take them from here.' Professor McGonagall pulled the door open wide, revealing the Entrance Hall. The stone walls were lit with flaming torches and the ceilings were so high Lydia couldn't see where they ended, and facing the group was a magnificent marble stair-case leading to the upper floors.

As they followed the Professor, Lydia could hear the voices of a hundreds of students floating towards them from the door to the right – the rest of the school having already been seated in the Great Hall.

The boat ride, though beautiful, took significantly longer than the carriage ride the older students used to get to the school.

Instead of taking them there directly the Professor showed the first-years in to a small empty chamber off the hall, they crowded in, standing rather close, some of the children looking down-right frightened while others simply looked a bit nervous. Lydia felt a soft hand slide in to her own, gripping it tightly, Amanda stood beside her and the girl was one of the first-years that might be a little scared, so Lydia squeezed her hand and smiled what she hoped was one of reassurance. She figured that some families held the first-years ceremony a secret and so Amanda didn't really know what they would be facing.

Anyone would be frightened at such a prospect.

'Welcome to Hogwarts, the start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses.' Said Professor McGonagall. 'The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something of your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.'

Some of the first-years were looking paler by the minute, shuffling about nervously. Lydia could feel the warmth between her and Amanda's hands, they were both nervous and their hands were sweating, making her skin itch. Lydia knew what the ceremony entailed, her brother had been kind enough and informed her, knowing his younger sister didn't like being unprepared, but that didn't stop her from being just as nervous as the rest of the children. The weight of it all was becoming rather heavy on her young eleven year old shoulders.

What if she got sorted into the wrong house? What if she ended up disappointing her mother?

'The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.'

Nibbling her bottom lip, trying not to think of her itching skin, Lydia stared straight ahead, squeezing and loosing her grip on Amanda's hand.

'The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting.'

Professor McGonagall's eyes lingering on a freckled boy, his chin stained with chocolate and then on one girls haphazard pigtails.

'I shall return when we are ready for you, please wait quietly.' The Professor turned and left the chamber and many of the first-years, Lydia included, let out collectively held breaths.

'I heard they cut your arm open with a dagger, sort you in to your house based on your blood.' One of the boys to her left said, and because Amanda shuddered and tightened her grip, Lydia gritted her teeth and rounded on the boy who was trying his best to scare them.

'What a harebrained thing to say, do you really think someone as great as Albus Dumbledore would condone something so idiotic?.' Lydia's voice rang clear through the small chamber, the other first-years scarcely daring to breath. 'This is a school, which means they are far more interested with what is in your head than in your blood.'

The boy gave her a sour look and she recognized him as the boy Amanda had pushed her into by accident down by the lake, one of the other boys blinked and stared at Lydia, he had mousy brown hair and brown eyes.

'You mean they'll want to see our brains?!' Lydia simply rolled her eyes, if possible that was worse than what the other boy had said, but it got Amanda smiling and as her light-hearted giggle spread through the chamber the rest of the first-years seemed to calm down. Some even joining in the laughter, because it really did sound so silly.

Of all the ridiculous ideas...

'Now, form a line.' A sharp voice sounded, interrupting the laughter, Professor McGonagall had returned. ' And follow me.' She told the first-years.

As the children shuffled to do as they were told, Amanda let go of Lydia's hand and slipped behind her as Lydia got behind the boy with the freckles and now stain free chin, they then walked out of the chamber, back across the hall and through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

It was lit by thousands and thousands of candles, which were floating in mid-air, Lydia knew that they were enchanted not only to float, but also to never let the wax run over and drip down over the four long tables below, where the rest of the students were seated, each by their house.

Scarlet and gold for Gryffindor, with its roaring lion. Yellow and black for Hufflepuff, with its burrowing badger. Blue and bronze for Ravenclaw, with its soaring eagle. And emerald and silver for Slytherin, with its coiling snake.

The tables were all laid with glittering golden plates and goblets, illuminated by the candles above, making them shine like the splendid treasures locked away underneath Gringotts Wizarding Bank.

She could feel Czar wiggling around in his pocket, but luckily the ferret seemed to still be asleep, the wiggling became less frequent and then he became altogether still.

At the top of the Hall was another long table where the teachers were sitting, the High Table, Professor McGonagall led the first-years there, so they came to a halt in a line facing the other students. Dotted here and there amongst the students sat ghosts, shining misty silver. Lydia recognized the Bloody Baron instantly, as well as the Fat Friar, sitting with their students and as she tried to spot the Ravenclaw house-ghost she became awkwardly aware of the hundreds of faces staring at them.

Lydia quickly looked down, straightened her skirt and smoothed out her robe, her hands somewhat twitchy with nerves.

Meanwhile Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years and on top of it she put an extremely dirty and frayed wizard's hat. Some of the children looked remarkably more at ease, it was a hat not a dagger, while others looked puzzled, everyone in the Hall was staring at it and for a few seconds there was complete silence.

Then the hat twitched, a rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth... and began to sing.

'Many a year ago it seems,

The duty fell to me,

To sing my song and bring the news,

Of where students ought to be.

Chosen by the founders four,

To help young students find their way,

When, confused, they stumble in,

On their first Hogwarts day.

Four houses to choose from,

Not one less or more,

Each one by a different founder,

To fill with students they adore.

Gryffindor, loving bravery,

Chose the strong of heart,

While Slytherin, feeling differently,

Thought cunning the greatest art.

Ravenclaw claimed for her own house,

The brainy and the smart,

While Hufflepuff took to her dear house,

The just and kind of heart.

All these students, with their differences,

Are each key to this great school.

And if Hogwarts hopes to stand,

Unity is the greatest tool.

House to house and hand to hand,

Leaving differences behind.

Only when you work together,

Can your strengths all be combined.

Now at last, the time has come,

For me to send you separate ways.

But remember, our division,

Could bring the end of Hogwarts' days!'

The Hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song, it bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

Now that it had become clear just how they were to be sorted into their respective houses most of the students looked far less anxious, Lydia glanced over at Amanda, pleased to see that the girl was smiling back at her, mouthing the words 'Thank goodness.'

As the applause died down Professor McGonagall stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment. 'When I call your name, you will sit down on the stool, the hat will be put on your head and you will wait to be sorted.' She said. 'Accardi, Clementine!'

An olive-skinned girl with shiny black hair stepped up to the stool and sat down, Professor McGonagall put the hat on the girl's head and the Great Hall fell silent, waiting-

'GRYFFINDOR!' Shouted the hat.

Applause once again filled the great hall, the Gryffindor table on the far left cheering and clapping to welcome their newest Gryffindor, as Clementine sat down. Lydia nibbled on her lip as the knot in her stomach started acting up, it was far from the first time she cursed her surname, knowing it would be her turn all to soon- ...

'Avery, Lydia!'

Lydia tried to swallow the sudden lump in her throat as she stepped up to the stool, curling her hands into fists as she sat down, feeling the weight of the hat on top of her head. She placed her hands in her lap, clenched together tightly, half covered by the sleeves of her robe and waited.

A voice in her ear sounded 'Hmm...' And Lydia at once closed her eyes.

Please, please, please...

To that the hat answered. 'You seem sure enough, well then it has to be..'

'SLYTHERIN!' The hat shouted.

Her table exploded in cheers as Lydia became the first new Slytherin, some of the older students standing up to get a better look as they clapped their hands.

Relief flooded Lydia as Professor McGonagall lifted the hat, giving her a nod as she stood and walked towards the table on the far right, she didn't see some of the older Gryffindor students whispering and pointing at her, but she was well aware of the size-up her fellow Slytherin students were giving her. The name Avery carried some weight at Hogwarts, had for some 50 years now, and in Lydia's mind it was not always the good kind.

As she went to sit down she was, however, greeted with smiles and waves, congratulations and hand-shakes and immediately felt genuinely welcomed, and rather foolish for thinking the worst, the boy she sat next to held out his hand.

'Roger Tuckett.' He introduced himself, Roger had light ginger hair, large ears and kind blue eyes.

'Lydia.' She replied and smiled nervously.

'Glad to have you with us Lydia.'

Shifting in her seat so she had a better view of the remaining first-years Lydia felt Czar stretching around in her pocket again, so as innocent as could be she slid her had down the inside pocket of her robe and gently nuzzled her finger between Czars ears, this seemed to pacify him as the ferret curled up in a ball again and gave up his attempts to claw his way to freedom.

Upfront the boy from earlier in the chamber had been seated and was now waiting for the hat to reveal which house he would be in, Lydia hoped she'd be spared, wishing for him to be put in any other house than Slytherin-

'SLYTHERIN!' Shouted the hat and Lydia pursed her mouth.

Lucky me...

The boy, Edward Barlow, took a seat across from Lydia at the table and grinned as he was welcomed by the other students, Lydia forced a smile but she knew must have looked none to pleased.

'Beckett, Jack.' became the first Hufflepuff then the twins that Lydia and Amanda had shared a boat with were up. 'Carrow, Flora and Hestia.' they both went to Slytherin.

Carrow rang familiar to Lydia, it was one of the families she, her brother and her mother had dined with on occasion before Mrs Avery had become to ill to travel. Lydia had been no more than five or six at the time so it was no wonder she didn't recognize the girls at first. She clapped along with the rest as the twins were welcomed into their house and gave a wave as both girls sat down next to her on the bench.

The Sorting Ceremony was rudely interrupted by a loud shrill noise coming from outside the large windows, several students and teachers alike looked up in time to see two piercing flashes of light through the coloured windows before they disappeared and the shrill sound quieted in strength till it was all but gone.

Looking up towards the High Table, Lydia saw what could only be Professor Snape, in his long flowing black robes, get up and cross the distance to Albus Dumbledore. The Headmaster was seated in the centre of the High Table in a large golden chair, his silver hair and beard almost outshining the ghosts in their iridescence. They exchanged brief words before Professor Snape exited the Great Hall through a passageway to the right of the table.

Professor McGonagall too sought out the Headmaster, who gave her a calm nod, before clearing her throat and calling out the next name on her list.

'Castor, Guy.' One of the boys Lydia had shared a compartment with was sorted into Ravenclaw. 'Creevey, Colin'... 'Harper, Benjamin'...'Jorgensen, Mia.'...'Kelleen, Sarah.'...'Lovegood, Luna.'

And on and on it went. 'MacDougal, Morag.' Another Ravenclaw. 'O'Dell, Aileen.' Hufflepuff.

The strange sound and lights all but forgotten.

And at last 'Sabers, Amanda.' The young girl skipped over to the stool, all her worries seeming to have been forgotten and swung her legs as Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her curly, honey coloured hair. Lydia couldn't help it, she hoped most ardently that Amanda would be sorted into Slytherin with her, at least then she would have one good friend.

'HUFFLEPUFF!'

Lydia's heart sank as Amanda smiled widely at the thunderous applause she received and all but ran over to her table where she was welcomed with cheers and pats on her back and shoulders. But then Amanda turned and peered through the masses of students, spotting Lydia and waving excitedly at her. Lydia couldn't help but smile and wave back.

There were now only two students left to sort. 'Weasley, Ginevra.' A red-headed girl became a Gryffindor, her table shouting at the top of their lungs with two red-headed students, the twin boys from the train, standing up on the benches applauding and whistling as the girl took her seat.

Lydia had heard of the Weasleys in passing from her brother, mostly it had been about one of the older brothers skills on the Quidditch field. Devon, who had played as a chaser for the Slytherin team since his third year, would come home during a holiday or over the summer and have new stories to tell. He had never been that great with writing letters, though he put a lot of effort into sending their mother at least one letter a month, his sister however had to wait for him to come home to hear about his adventures.

So while Lydia didn't know the Weasleys each by name, exept for Ginevra, she did recognize them by their fiery red hair and freckled faces, characteristics her brother had pointed out. She thought that it must be very enjoyable, to have such a large family, all the buzzle and noise that would accompany a brood of that scale, the lively meals eaten together and siblings to play with.

I had Gorran and Mrs Monvoisin though..

The last first-year, a boy 'Xanth, Naadir.' was called up and made a Ravenclaw and so Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the sorting hat away while the Ravenclaw table welcomed the last edition to their house.

As Professor McGonagall took her seat, Snape still nowhere to be seen, Albus Dumbledore got to his feet, his arms spread wide open, beaming at them as if nothing could please him more than to see them all there.

'Welcome, welcome..' He said, 'To a new year at Hogwarts! Now before we tuck in, I have only two announcements. Firstly I would like to remind you all that the forest is out-of-bounds to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year.'

Secondly!' He continued, 'It is my great pleasure to introduce to you our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart!' Once again the hall erupted in applause, this time accompanied by wild shrieking from some of the female students, Dumbledore clapped his hands as well, smiling brightly.

A blonde wizard with gleaming teeth and flamboyant aquamarine robes stood, he pointed out into the Hall and winked, causing even more shrieks from his fans, while laughing merrily and shaking Dumbledore's hand, his wavy hair bouncing in-tune while nodding his head.

'Thank you, thank you. It is an honour, Albus.' Lockhart proclaimed. Though if the pompous wizard meant for Dumbledore or himself was difficult to say.

He then proceeded to take a step forward, spreading his arms wide and in so doing, sweeping Dumbledore to the side behind him.

'Yes, yes, I know what you are all thinking! "Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five times winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award! He is an internationally famous wizard, what is he doing here at our little school?" ' Lockhart smiled sickly sweet as he continued.

'Well friends, I am as you say... renowned around the world, for my many, many heroic acts! And where could I do more good than here, with you, as a... guiding influence on your future paths.' The wizard's forget-me-not blue eyes sweeped over the Hall to the Gryffindor table, seeming in search of someone, before he looked away and gave a vane laugh.

'As many of you are already aware, I'm sure, my secret ambition is to rid the world of evil and of course to create harmony between magic and non-magic peoples. And it is just that which I intend to do here at Hogwarts! Now I know you all would just love to have a one on one with me while I'm here but my friends, I am here to teach! You can of course read more about me in my autobiography "Magical Me." It contains highlights from a life dedicated to the eradication of the Dark Forces!'

By the time Lockhart had finished his speech many of the students and faculty were staring at him, dumbfounded, not believing their ears. While his fans were giving him a standing ovation, to which of course he bowed and draped his aquamarine robes dramatically around him before returning to his seat.

Dumbledore, looking somewhat stunned, cleared his throat, smiled at the students and announced.

'Feast your eyes!' To which the golden plates on the tables were suddenly piled with food. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, fish and chips, peppers, nettle tea, peach punch (Lydia's favourite.) mushroom soup. French onion soup, roast, fried eggs and mushrooms, tomatoes, beef, welsh cawl, courgettes, rocket, beetroot's and much, much more.

Lydia's mouth watered as she and the rest of the students started loading their plates with all the different delectable dishes, she bit down on a piece of roast and licked some gravy off her lip, it was all delicious.

It had been some time since Lydia had sat down to a meal that consisted of more than three people, Gorran, her governess and Lydia herself. Though her brother had held a small feast the night before she was to depart for Hogwarts, he had taken a few hours away from his internship to make sure his little sister had a memorable evening, he'd even decorated the dining room with a banner and balloons. It had been very nice, but the evening had ended far to soon for Lydias liking, her brother having to return to his responsibilities.

Now in the Great Hall with all its splendour and chatting students, Lydia felt rather small and just a little bit lost, for the second time that night she wished that Amanda had been sorted into Slytherin, she had been able to speak so freely with the pretty girl. Though she had seen some familiar faces, such as Professor Snape and Tom Arcadius the Professor of Ghoul Studies, Mrs Avery being acquainted with both of them.

Most of the familiar faces, however, were sitting around her at the Slytherin table. Cousin Theodore, seated further down the table, was the one that had whistled the loudest when she got sorted into Slytherin house, he had black hair and the jutting Nott chin, same as Lydia. The Carrow twins, they had taken her some time to recognize, were now smiling tentatively at her.

Then there was the Greengrass girl, Flint, Parkinson and of course... Malfoy.

-oOo-

Like most pure-blood families Lydia had had a governess, Mrs Monvoisin, before she attended Hogwarts, she had been instructed in potions, history, herbology and astronomy – subjects that required little to no magic. There had been other accomplishments to learn as well such as, riding, drawing and music.

Then there were subjects which did entail magic and were instructed in pairs or groups by a tutor, some families would even come together and have their children taught by the same one for subjects such as duelling and flying.

Lydia's mother, Mrs Avery had come to an agreement with her uncle Mr Nott to have their children, close in age, tutored together for their flying lessons. Lydia being very fond of her cousin, they had met over the years when their family got together during holidays and such, and during their weekly lessons they got along splendidly.

A few months in however Mrs Narcissia Malfoy had come calling with her son Draco and it was decided that all three children be tutored together.

In the short span of a month an incidentoccurred and Lydia refused to even touch a broom after that.

Devon had been furious, threatening curses and dragon pox to befall Draco and so Lydia was removed from the flying lessons all together, with little protest on her part and though she didn't fly any more Lydia's interest in Quidditch still remain. While Lydia herself may not have caused a fuss, leaving that to her brother, she did make sure to exact her revenge when it was time for the children to start their duelling lessons.

After that incident Draco had refused to have anything to do with her and Mrs Malfoy decided that perhaps it was best if her son was tutored with Mr and Mrs Goyles son Gregory, Lydia had been quite happy to see him go.

-oOo-

The boy had not changed much, he still had his white-blonde hair slicked back tightly and the same pale complexion, sitting between two boys whom Lydia recognized as none other than Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe. She had met them on occasion when visiting in London, not the most pleasant or clever company to be around.

They were looking over at the entrance to the Great Hall, watching as Professor Snape made his way to the High Table, his robes swirling like foreboding dark storm-clouds around him. Lydia wasn't sure but she highly doubted this was normal protocol and as Professor McGonagall got out of her seat, her lips stretched thinly over her face, Lydia remembered the out of place noise and lights from earlier.

The two Professors exchanged a few words 'Students... Whomping Willow... -' and then Professor McGonagall made her way to the passageway off the High Tables right side, exiting the Great Hall while Professor Snape seemed to be filling the Headmaster in on what had happened, as the later became unusually grave.

As Snape exited through the same passage as before after Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore rose from his seat and held up his hands to quiet the students.

'There is a matter of urgency that calls our attention away, but while you enjoy dessert-!' With a clap of his hands the left-over food began fading away, every student seemed to have eaten their fill, leaving the plates golden and sparkling clean as before.

A moment later puddings, ice-cream in every flavour, apple, peach, chocolate, vanilla and pies, cakes, doughnuts, jelly and piles of different fruits like strawberries, black berries, watermelon, oranges and peaches appeared on the vacant plates.

'I am sure our lovely choir, lead by our own Professor Flitwick, would love to entertain you all with a tune.' The Headmaster continued.

A distinguishably short wizard made his way around the table, bowing to Dumbledore before he turned to face the other four tables and waved his hands gently, to which several students from the four houses stood up and joined him, Lydia saw that four of them were from Slytherin while the rest came from Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor.

Meanwhile the Headmaster swiftly disappeared through the passageway.

Professor Flitwick got his students in a half moon in front of the High Table and one of them kindly fetched him the stool Professor McGonagall had previously seated the first-years on, the tiny Professor got up on the stool and cleared his throat and in a surprisingly squeaky voice said.

'I think it only fitting that we sing our school song, do of course feel free to join in!' He told the other students still seated and with a flick of his wand the choir started to sing, many of the students joining in, bellowing the words and as Lydia didn't know them, she simply listened.

'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot!'

As the song came to and end the choir bowed to the applause they received and then joined in, clapping their hands as Professor Flitwick bowed in turn. Lydia thought them to be rather good, for a school choir, and noticed that none of the Slytherins made fun of their fellow comrades when they returned to their seats to sample the desserts with everyone. Instead they were welcomed with cheers and light-hearted teasing, even compliments.

The students fell into chatting and joking about as they ate their desserts, Lydia pushing her slice of pudding around on her plate before she straightened up and locked eyes with one of the Carrow twins, asking if she'd had a pleasant train-ride. Looking a little startled at suddenly being addressed, Lydia hadn't said so much as a single word to them the whole evening, Flora answered.

'It was a rather long journey, but I think it was worth it..'

'Especially for the ride across the lake.' Her twin, Hestia continued.

Lydia smiled in agreement.

'It was breath-taking.' She said.

The girls continued to chat and eat, only briefly giving note to the fact that both Professors had returned together with the Headmaster, seating themselves at the High Table and continuing on with the feast.

Czar once again began to stir and Lydia cut a piece of peach on her plate and making sure no one was looking, slipped it into the pocket containing her ferret. It seemed to settle him down, for the moment.

At last the desserts too disappeared and Dumbledore got to his feet, the Great Hall falling silent.

'A few words before bedtime. I have been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used in the corridors between classes. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term, anyone interested in playing should contact Madam Hooch.'

'And now it is time for you all to head to your common rooms. Prefects lead the way, off you go!'

xXx


Congratulations to Laisvega for guessing Slytherin.

I hope you are all enjoying the story so far, the next chapter will be up in a few days.
I think it is about time we are introduced to the Slytherin commons and dorms, don't you..?

Disclaimer: The sorting hat song belongs to Phoenixdust.